Read The Sookie Stackhouse Companion Online
Authors: Charlaine Harris
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion (23 page)
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Arriving at Hadley’s apartment in New Orleans, Bill again offers to help. Exhausted, Sookie just wants to be left alone to rest.
MONDAY, MARCH 21.
The landlady and apartment owner, Amelia Broadway, who is also a practicing witch, startles Sookie awake. She assures Sookie that wards and a stasis spell (which has kept the place just as it was on the day Hadley died) have protected the apartment. After Amelia returns to her own apartment downstairs, Sookie begins to explore and is disturbed when she finds bloodstained towels in the bathroom hamper. She opens the hall closet and discovers a man’s body. Realizing the body must have been there since Hadley died, she goes in search of Amelia to tell her they have a problem. They have just decided that the stasis spell has kept the body from decomposing when Sookie notices the man’s fingers moving. She realizes they have a rising vampire to deal with. Amelia just has time to call for help before they are attacked and must fight for their lives against the hungry new vampire, Jake Purifoy, a Were. Both are seriously wounded before they are rescued by the vampire police.
The landlady and apartment owner, Amelia Broadway, who is also a practicing witch, startles Sookie awake. She assures Sookie that wards and a stasis spell (which has kept the place just as it was on the day Hadley died) have protected the apartment. After Amelia returns to her own apartment downstairs, Sookie begins to explore and is disturbed when she finds bloodstained towels in the bathroom hamper. She opens the hall closet and discovers a man’s body. Realizing the body must have been there since Hadley died, she goes in search of Amelia to tell her they have a problem. They have just decided that the stasis spell has kept the body from decomposing when Sookie notices the man’s fingers moving. She realizes they have a rising vampire to deal with. Amelia just has time to call for help before they are attacked and must fight for their lives against the hungry new vampire, Jake Purifoy, a Were. Both are seriously wounded before they are rescued by the vampire police.
While she is awaiting treatment at the hospital, Sookie is surprised by Eric’s arrival. She accuses him of following her. He reminds her of the bond that exists between them because he has given her his blood. He also tells her that he has met with the queen to negotiate for Sookie’s services at the vampire summit. As they are talking, Bill suddenly appears, much to Eric’s displeasure. When Bill accuses Eric of tiring Sookie and asks him to leave, an angry Eric retaliates by forcing Bill to disclose what Eric discovered when he met with Sophie-Anne. Bill confesses that he was sent to Bon Temps by the queen to attract Sookie’s notice and even to seduce her in an effort to gain the use of her gift. Her heart broken by Bill’s betrayal, a physically and emotionally devastated Sookie stumbles back to the apartment.
TUESDAY, MARCH 22.
Claudine and Amelia are at Sookie’s bedside when she awakes in deep emotional pain. Claudine reveals that she is Sookie’s fairy godmother, sworn to protect her, and tells Amelia the reason for Sookie’s unhappiness. They decide they need to determine how Jake was killed and turned, so Amelia suggests an ectoplasmic reconstruction of the events on the day of Hadley’s death. Amelia leaves to make preparations, and Claudine explains to Sookie that she must keep her appointment with the queen that evening. They leave to shop for the perfect dress and accessories.
Claudine and Amelia are at Sookie’s bedside when she awakes in deep emotional pain. Claudine reveals that she is Sookie’s fairy godmother, sworn to protect her, and tells Amelia the reason for Sookie’s unhappiness. They decide they need to determine how Jake was killed and turned, so Amelia suggests an ectoplasmic reconstruction of the events on the day of Hadley’s death. Amelia leaves to make preparations, and Claudine explains to Sookie that she must keep her appointment with the queen that evening. They leave to shop for the perfect dress and accessories.
Sookie, correctly clad, arrives at Sophie-Anne’s headquarters and is admitted to the queen’s presence by her twin bodyguards, Sigebert and Wybert. The queen introduces her new husband, the King of Arkansas, Peter Threadgill. His personal bodyguard, Jade Flower, stands guard behind her king with a long sword strapped to her back. Sophie-Anne’s personal bodyguard, Andre Paul, armed with a saber and a gun, stands guard behind his queen as well. As Sookie and the queen discuss the conversion of Jake Purifoy, Sookie tells Sophie-Anne about the planned ectoplasmic reconstruction. The queen agrees to pay the expenses of the ritual and declares that she wishes to witness it. She inquires briefly after Bill, and Sookie rather sharply informs her that they are no longer a couple. As they ready themselves to go, the king insists that Jade Flower accompany Sookie and Sophie-Anne.
Amelia is waiting at the apartment with three other witches, who will help her with the ectoplasmic reconstruction. The spectators watch in amazement as the ghostly events of the day Hadley died appear before them. They see the attack on Jake but are not able to identify the attacker. They do, however, witness Hadley’s desperate attempt to save him by making him a vampire. It is apparent that someone wanted Hadley accused of his death, and the atmosphere is getting tense when Quinn suddenly arrives. When alone in Hadley’s apartment with Sookie and Andre, Sophie-Anne tells Sookie that a jealous Hadley stole a valuable bracelet, a gift to the queen from her new husband. The queen will face political and personal disaster if the bracelet is not restored to her before the ball scheduled in two days’ time. Sophie-Anne tells Sookie that they must pretend that she and Andre had sex as Sophie-Anne watched, to justify this private meeting to Jade Flower. As they exchange an uncomfortable embrace to add evidence to the illusion, Andre reveals to Sookie that she has a trace of fairy blood. Although Sophie-Anne has instructed Sookie not to reveal any details, Sookie carefully tells Quinn that she did not have sex with Andre, and they have a romantic moment together.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23.
Sookie begins to pack up Hadley’s possessions and is delighted when Quinn reappears to help. They make love that afternoon, but while they are relaxing afterward, Sookie suddenly senses danger. They are attacked and kidnapped by a group of werewolves who subdue the powerful Quinn with a stun gun.
Sookie begins to pack up Hadley’s possessions and is delighted when Quinn reappears to help. They make love that afternoon, but while they are relaxing afterward, Sookie suddenly senses danger. They are attacked and kidnapped by a group of werewolves who subdue the powerful Quinn with a stun gun.
The kidnappers force Sookie and Quinn into a van but do not seem to consider her a threat. She is able to locate Quinn’s cell phone and call for help. The kidnappers quickly pull over and search them, binding Quinn’s legs before starting off again. Because Quinn has undergone a partial change during the fight, Sookie encourages him to bite through the duct tape binding her wrists. She is able to get free and to unbind his hands and feet. As Sookie stabs the Were in the passenger seat with a screwdriver, Quinn opens the door of the van, and they escape into the swamp. They only stop to rest when they are certain they have lost their kidnappers. Sookie suddenly realizes who is behind the abduction and explains to Quinn, who shifts fully into his tiger persona and leads her through the swamp to a house where they find the kidnappers’ van. Looking through the window, Sookie realizes that her feelings were correct when she sees the Pelt family. Sookie and Quinn attack the house and are soon joined by Eric and the queen’s guard, Rasul. Sookie confronts the furious family and tells them the truth about the death of their daughter Debbie. Reluctantly recognizing that Sookie was acting in self-defense, Gordon and Barbara Pelt, much to their daughter Sandra’s dismay, promise not to harass Sookie further. Sookie also learns from them that Tanya Grissom is a relative who was sent to spy on her and find out more about Debbie’s death.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24.
Mr. Cataliades accompanies Sookie to Hadley’s bank to receive the contents of her cousin’s safe-deposit box, but the missing bracelet is not there, as he obviously hoped. Sookie returns to the apartment to find a message on the answering machine: The queen expects to see Sookie that night at the spring ball. She debates whether or not she should go. Continuing to pack, she hears a strange noise when she shakes a can of coffee and realizes she has found the queen’s bracelet. Sookie knows she must attend the ball after all and goes down to Amelia’s to borrow a dress and shoes.
Mr. Cataliades accompanies Sookie to Hadley’s bank to receive the contents of her cousin’s safe-deposit box, but the missing bracelet is not there, as he obviously hoped. Sookie returns to the apartment to find a message on the answering machine: The queen expects to see Sookie that night at the spring ball. She debates whether or not she should go. Continuing to pack, she hears a strange noise when she shakes a can of coffee and realizes she has found the queen’s bracelet. Sookie knows she must attend the ball after all and goes down to Amelia’s to borrow a dress and shoes.
Quinn and Sookie arrive at the queen’s party house, a former monastery. Both are immediately uneasy as they observe the extreme security and the unusual outfits of the king’s guards. As Sookie and Quinn greet Mr. Cataliades, she tells him she has heard that someone with a long sword was seen on her way to Bon Temps, letting him draw his own conclusions about who killed his niece Gladiola. Sookie is able to secretly pass the missing bracelet to the queen, much to her relief. As Sophie-Anne joins her new husband in a dance, he notices the bracelet and is obviously furious. Sookie learns from Quinn that the bracelet had been a part of the king’s marriage gift to the queen. If he’d been able to prove she’d given it toto a lover, he could have taken her kingdom and everything in it for his own.
Thwarted, Peter Threadgill and his people resort to violence. Sookie and Quinn are enjoying a dance when a severed head flies by them. Violent chaos erupts, and Sookie and Quinn become separated during the melee. As she struggles to flee the room, Sookie is forced to fight for her life when she is attacked by an enraged Jade Flower, mysteriously missing one leg. Sookie is rescued by Bill, who beheads the Asian vampire. Fleeing through the queen’s bedroom, Sookie flips on the lights and sees a seriously injured Sophie-Anne lying on the bed, with Andre and Peter facing each other across it. Andre immediately shoots Peter twice in the face and then receives permission from his queen to finish the job. Sookie continues out the door before seeing how he does the deed. Once she is out on the lawn, Quinn joins her in tiger form, and they escape over the wall of the monastery. Andre follows them, carrying the injured queen, and they all pile into the queen’s limo.
The queen expresses her gratitude to Sookie for the return of the bracelet. The limo drops Sookie and Quinn off at Hadley’s apartment, where Amelia waits with a large black-and-white cat. She sheepishly admits that she and Bob, one of the witches who helped with the reconstruction, got a little carried away during sex and that he is now the cat. She needs to get away from New Orleans for a time.
An exhausted Sookie has just finished her shower, and Quinn is taking his turn, when there is a soft knock at the door. Bill is there and asks to talk with her. Sookie listens as he explains that although the queen sent him, when he came to know Sookie he began to truly love her. However, she no longer feels she can trust Bill and tells him that just saying the words will not restore her feelings for him. She leaves him to return to Quinn, and as they lie in bed together, she puts her head on his chest as he sleeps and listens to his heart beating.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25.
Quinn departs early the next morning for his next job, leaving behind a spicy note. Sookie and Amelia pack up for Bon Temps, and as she heads home, Sookie is optimistic about the future.
The Secret Dialogues of Bill and EricQuinn departs early the next morning for his next job, leaving behind a spicy note. Sookie and Amelia pack up for Bon Temps, and as she heads home, Sookie is optimistic about the future.
Phone: Eric calling Bill.
ERIC :
“Bill, is Sookie going to New Orleans to see about her cousin’s estate?”
BILL :
“Why don’t you ask her yourself ?”
“Bill, is Sookie going to New Orleans to see about her cousin’s estate?”
BILL :
“Why don’t you ask her yourself ?”
ERIC :
“Since you are such a good neighbor and keep such a close eye on her, I thought you might know.”
“Since you are such a good neighbor and keep such a close eye on her, I thought you might know.”
BILL :
“I don’t.”
“I don’t.”
Phone: Eric calling Bill.
ERIC :
“I thought you’d want to know that Sookie finally arrived back at Hadley’s apartment safely.”
“I thought you’d want to know that Sookie finally arrived back at Hadley’s apartment safely.”
BILL :
“I am aware, although
safely
is a relative term. Why have you done this, Eric?”
“I am aware, although
safely
is a relative term. Why have you done this, Eric?”
ERIC :
“She deserved to know.”
“She deserved to know.”
BILL:
“So you told her the moment you found out. If you wanted to destroy whatever chance I had with Sookie, couldn’t you have at least waited until she was not bleeding in a hospital?”
“So you told her the moment you found out. If you wanted to destroy whatever chance I had with Sookie, couldn’t you have at least waited until she was not bleeding in a hospital?”
ERIC :
“I did not do it to—”
“I did not do it to—”
BILL :
“Bullshit. You did it to make her hate me so that you could proceed with her without my interference. Unfortunately for you, there is already another man interested in Sookie, one who is not constrained by vampire politics as I am.”
“Bullshit. You did it to make her hate me so that you could proceed with her without my interference. Unfortunately for you, there is already another man interested in Sookie, one who is not constrained by vampire politics as I am.”
ERIC :
“Quinn.”
“Quinn.”
BILL :
“Yes, Quinn. He should give you a run for your money, and at this moment, I can only wish him well.”
“Yes, Quinn. He should give you a run for your money, and at this moment, I can only wish him well.”
Phone: Eric calling Bill.
ERIC :
“Bill, you may be interested in knowing that an ectoplasmic reconstruction was performed at Hadley’s apartment last night to try to discover who turned the Were, Jake Purifoy.”
“Bill, you may be interested in knowing that an ectoplasmic reconstruction was performed at Hadley’s apartment last night to try to discover who turned the Were, Jake Purifoy.”
BILL:
“I know.”
“I know.”
ERIC :
“You seem to know a lot, Bill.”
“You seem to know a lot, Bill.”
BILL :
“Does that bother you, Eric?”
“Does that bother you, Eric?”
ERIC :
“It bothers me that you entered my territory on an assignment from the queen that I was not made aware of.”
“It bothers me that you entered my territory on an assignment from the queen that I was not made aware of.”
BILL:
“You’ll have to take that up with Sophie-Anne.”
“You’ll have to take that up with Sophie-Anne.”
All Together Dead
Though it would seem from the text that
All Together Dead
begins around the third week in September, accurate continuity would have it start earlier—more like the second week.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2005.
Sookie arrives at Fangtasia and is met by a happy Pam as they join the planning meeting for those who will attend the vampire summit in Rhodes. The death of the King of Arkansas, Peter Threadgill, and the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina have had a profound financial effect on the empire of Sophie-Anne Leclerq, Queen of Louisiana. Eric, now one of the most powerful sheriffs in the state, is hosting the queen’s representative, Andre Paul, as they plan the trip. Sookie learns that the queen will be facing a criminal suit filed by the former king’s second-in-command, Jennifer Cater, who alleges that Sophie-Anne lured Peter to Louisiana to assassinate him. If she is found guilty, the queen could lose all she has. Bill Compton will be attending to promote the sale of his database in the hopes of replenishing the coffers of the cash-strapped queen. Jake Purifoy, the Were who was turned by Hadley, is also at the meeting and will be attending, much to Sookie’s discomfort.
Sookie arrives at Fangtasia and is met by a happy Pam as they join the planning meeting for those who will attend the vampire summit in Rhodes. The death of the King of Arkansas, Peter Threadgill, and the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina have had a profound financial effect on the empire of Sophie-Anne Leclerq, Queen of Louisiana. Eric, now one of the most powerful sheriffs in the state, is hosting the queen’s representative, Andre Paul, as they plan the trip. Sookie learns that the queen will be facing a criminal suit filed by the former king’s second-in-command, Jennifer Cater, who alleges that Sophie-Anne lured Peter to Louisiana to assassinate him. If she is found guilty, the queen could lose all she has. Bill Compton will be attending to promote the sale of his database in the hopes of replenishing the coffers of the cash-strapped queen. Jake Purifoy, the Were who was turned by Hadley, is also at the meeting and will be attending, much to Sookie’s discomfort.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11.
When she returns from attending a wedding shower for Halleigh Robinson, Sookie is delighted to find Quinn on her doorstep. Her understanding roommate, Amelia, leaves them alone, and Sookie and Quinn discuss their relationship and their need to spend more time together. Quinn tells her he has taken a month off after the summit and wants to spend it with Sookie in Bon Temps. That afternoon Sookie receives a call from her brother, Jason, inviting her to his wedding. He is marrying his shifter girlfriend, Crystal Norris. Sookie is apprehensive about the marriage, especially as it is taking place that same night. When Sookie, Quinn, and Amelia arrive at the wedding celebration, Sookie is surprised at the excited reaction of the shifters to the presence of Quinn. To her dismay, she discovers that as Jason’s only relative she must vouch for him in the marriage ceremony, just as Calvin vouches for Crystal. With many reservations, Sookie witnesses the wedding between the selfish Jason and the wayward, determined shifter he is marrying.
When she returns from attending a wedding shower for Halleigh Robinson, Sookie is delighted to find Quinn on her doorstep. Her understanding roommate, Amelia, leaves them alone, and Sookie and Quinn discuss their relationship and their need to spend more time together. Quinn tells her he has taken a month off after the summit and wants to spend it with Sookie in Bon Temps. That afternoon Sookie receives a call from her brother, Jason, inviting her to his wedding. He is marrying his shifter girlfriend, Crystal Norris. Sookie is apprehensive about the marriage, especially as it is taking place that same night. When Sookie, Quinn, and Amelia arrive at the wedding celebration, Sookie is surprised at the excited reaction of the shifters to the presence of Quinn. To her dismay, she discovers that as Jason’s only relative she must vouch for him in the marriage ceremony, just as Calvin vouches for Crystal. With many reservations, Sookie witnesses the wedding between the selfish Jason and the wayward, determined shifter he is marrying.
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